 Microscopy

➢ is the study of minute objects or organisms which

are invisible or poorly seen by the unaided eye
➢ Is an optical instrument with two lens systems, the
objective, and the eyepiece or ocular
➢ It can magnify an image up to several hundred
times the actual size of an object
❖ PARTS AND FUNCTION OF A COMPOUND
MICROSCOPE

MECHANICAL PARTS
 Base
➢It is the U-shaped or V-shaped part on which the
microscope firmly rests in place
➢It supports the entire microscope

 Pillar
➢this serves as a firm support which is the post or ventral
extension of the base and to which the arm is attached
 Inclination joint
➢It is a movable hinge that attaches the frame of the
microscope to the base
➢It is used for tilting the microscope whenever necessary
for the convenience of the user

 Arm
➢It is the curved part that connects the base to the body
tube
➢It serves as the handle of the microscope and at the same
time supports the optical mechanism
 Stage
➢It is a platform upon which the slide containg the
specimen to be studied is placed
➢It is provided with a central opening allowing the light to
pass from below into the object of study
 Stage clip/Mechanical stage
➢The clip holds the slide in place
➢Some microscopes are provided with mechanical stage
which moves the specimen by screw movement either
forward, backward, or sidewards
 Substage
➢Found below the stage that holds the Abbe condenser
above, and the iris diaphragm below
 Body tube
➢This is a hollow cylinder that serves as an attachment of
the draw tube onto the microscope as well as the
passageway of light from the objective to the ocular
 Draw tube
➢This is a smaller cylinder that is attached to the upper part
of the body tube
➢It holds the ocular
 Revolving nosepiece
➢This is attached to the base of the body tube
➢It holds the objectives
 Dust shield
➢This is a fixed part attached to the revolving nosepiece
➢It keeps off the dust from the objective lenses
 Adjustment knobs
➢These consist of two pairs of knobs which, when turned
clockwise or counterclockwise, lower or raise the body
tube
➢These are used to adjust the objective when focusing
•Coarse adjustment knobs
➢These are the upper larger knobs used for faster
movement of the body tube when focusing the low-power
objective
•Fine adjustment knobs
➢These are the smaller knobs used for slow or little
movement of the body tube when focusing the high-
power objective as well as the highest-powered lenses
➢It is used to get a sharper focus of the object under the
low-power objective
 Mirror rack
➢ It holds the mirror and is provided with a hinge to
facilitate tipping to any desired angle

ILLUMINATING PARTS
 Mirror
➢This is used to collect and to reflect the light through the
object lenses and into the eye
• Concave mirror
➢it is used when the source of light (natural or artificial) is
of low density
 • Plane mirror
➢this is used when the source of light is very bright
 Abbe condenser
➢This is used to condensed or concentrate the reflected
light from the mirror to the object or specimen being
examined
 Iris diaphragm
➢It controls the amount of light striking the object with the
use of a lever
MAGNIFYING PARTS
 Eyepiece or Ocular
➢This is a detachable cylinder situated on top of the draw
tube
➢It is equipped with lens that magnifies the object several
times and enables to see the specimen by looking through
it
➢Sometimes it is provided with a pointer which is used in
pointing at specific parts of the specimen
 Objectives:
• Low-power objective (LPO)
➢This is a short cylinder with a lens of low magnifying
power
➢It is used in observing the general outline and locating the
various parts of the specimen
• High-power objective (HPO)
➢This is a long cylinder with a lens of high magnifying
power
➢It is used to study the detailed part of the specimen
• Oil immersion objective (OIO)
➢This is a long cylinder with a lens of a very high
magnifying power
➢It focuses very close to the slide and needs a small drop of
special oil
CARE OF THE MICROSCOPE:
 Always use both hands in carrying the
microscope. Hold the microscope arm
firmly with one hand while the other
hand is placed under the base of the
microscope for support.
 After using the microscope, clean the
optical parts lens, objectives,
condenser, and mirror with the use of
a lens paper. Use a clean cloth
dampened with xylol to remove oil
 Never remove any part of the microscope.
 Never focus downward with the coarse adjustment
while your eye is looking through the eyepiece.
 Place the microscope at a safe distance,
approximately several inches away from the edge
of the table.
 Before returning the microscope, be sure to check
that:
• All parts are still intact
• The microscope is not on a tilted position
• There is no objective pointed to the opening of the stage.
• The mirror is positioned horizontally.
• The microscope is clean.

kccastilloaclan,ptrp